20 Oct 08 Travel photography (module 3)

I finally had the time to finish this module and thought it was a difficult on. The module assignment brief is: You are a photographer and as been ask to take 5 images of a tourist attraction for the local tourist board.

I had a try at it before and although I liked the pictures my tutor didn’t as the light wasn’t optimal and parts where in the shadow or full sum, so I did them over (he didn’t assigned them yet so it was OK)

As last time I have taken Alnwick Gardens as the tourist attraction but now tried to show the diversity it can bring, from its massive fountain to its calming lanes.

Alnwick Gardens fountain

First the fountain and the main building in the background. This shows, I think, the complexity of the fountain.

Alnwick Gardens Fountain

Here we see a playground for the children with play JCB’s with the fountain in the background and this shows the size of it, plus that families can have fun here even if it is in the Autumn.

Alnwick Gardens-2

This is one of the many galleries which, when you walk through them gives surprising views.

Alnwick Gardens-4

The architecture and lay-out of the gardens gives good opportunities to the photographer and everybody finds different angles.

Alnwick Gardens-5

With surprising view of the many water-features.

Alnwick Gardens-6

and last but not least a visit should end in the famous tree house with its restaurant.

Now waiting for the tutor to access.

Happy shooting

Tags: alnwick, alnwick garden, autumn, britain, british, children, day out, england, family, fountain, garden, grand-parents, green, JCB, leaves, northumberland, parents, people, professional photography course, professional photography diploma, the photo student, water

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06 Oct 08 Module 3: Travel photography

Working on this course gives me more pleasure then expected. The modules are well set-out and go across a lot of different subjects. Did we do in the last module photographing a restaurant in module 3 we are looking into travel photography. In my mind that was only for the lucky one who got to travel around the world and not something for us mortals.

Was I wrong The module gives a clear view on what to look for and what magazines are looking for. It touches the rule of thirds, what you need in your bag and even how to get free holidays, something my wife loved. The assignment for this module is to find a popular landmark in your area and take images for the local tourist board to spice-out their brochure.

As I am living in Alnwick with two big tourist attractions within walking distance from my house I was lucky. We have Alnwick Castle, which I have photographed so many times, and Alnwick Gardens. Both draw a lot of attention from tourist in the area. I choose for Alnwick Gardens as I think that would be more of a challenge. Yesterday was the perfect day, sun-shine! which doesn’t happen much this year and mend blue sky, people looking happy, the ultimate way to take those kind of images. So my wife and I of to the Gardens and whilst she was sitting in the sun I was around shooting. I haven’t got the images in a smaller format for this blog yet but you can see them at: http://www.photography-theovanstratum.com. I have send my assignment in and now waiting for the tutor.

Happy shooting

Tags: alnwick, Alnwick castle, Alnwick gardens, Assignment 3, blue sky, professional photography, professional photography course, the photo student, Theo van Stratum, travel, travel photography

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25 Sep 08 Restaurant Assignment

I did the first shoot at the Tower restaurant in Alnwick and that was much more difficult then I imaging. First of all I don’t have a proper wide-angel lens and that worked against me. My smallest standard lens is a 28–70mm Nikor and with the 1.5 magnification become 45 – 135 mm. This doesn’t work in assignments like this where you have to work within a very small space, but we made the best of it. I must buy a wide-angle lens 12-24 mm Tokina Pro.

This are the 9 best images, although I don’t give them as assignment yet and try the second shooting in the other restaurant. I am not really displeased with this but can do better. Especially the last image of the dining couple. The shadow is to hard because I didn’t bounce the flash enough (amateur mistake).

Tower (1 of 1)
The front of the restaurant